Baylor in the News – Oct. 4-10, 2020

WACO, Texas (Oct. 11, 2020) – Baylor University researchers and faculty experts were featured in national and local media stories as they shared their thoughts and expertise on how joy can be a companion during suffering, financial strategies for employee buyouts, the ways in which horror films tap into pop culture's most urgent fears and how a local partnership is studying the effectiveness of innovative health approaches.

Oct. 4, 2020

Earth.com: Spiritual experiences linked to improved overall well-being
Researchers from Baylor University and Harvard University have discovered a hyperlink between people’s everyday non secular experiences and total well-being. Co-author of the study Matt Bradshaw, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion, examines the uniqueness of the study, its relation to daily spiritual experiences and more in this article. This study is also featured in an articles from Science Daily, Baptist Standard and Baylor Media and Public Relations.

Oct. 5, 2020

Baptist News Global: ‘I am third’ opens our minds toward a Christian political ethic
Greg Garrett, Ph.D., professor of English, writes about books by the late Gale Sayers, author and Chicago Bears running back, in connection to faith and how a relationship with God can lead to becoming our own best selves.

Baptist News Global: I follow Jesus and contribute to racism? Question mark?
In this column, Jon E. Singletary, Ph.D., dean of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor, writes about white Christians learning to turn around and walk against systemic racism.

Baylor Media and Public Relations: Baylor Program on Prosocial Behavior Spotlights an Innovative Government/Faith-Based Partnership through ‘Open Table’ Model
In this article, Baylor scholars evaluate a case study published by Baylor’s Institute for the Studies of Religion on runaway homeless youth receiving social support as they transition from a federally funded homeless shelter into the community.

Oct. 6, 2020

Pulse Headlines: Eterneva Teams Up With Baylor University For New Research on Grieving
Baylor religion professor Candi K. Cann, Ph.D., an expert in death and dying, has partnered with an Austin, Texas company called Eterneva to conduct groundbreaking research into grief and what helps people get through the loss of a loved one.

Oct. 7, 2020

Yahoo! Life: 'Pow Wow Princess,' 'Geisha Glam' and 'Gypsy': Beware of cultural appropriation posing as a Halloween costume
Race and culture expert Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., professor and chair of journalism, public relations and new media at Baylor, is quoted in this article about cultural appropriation as a basis for costumes, especially at Halloween.

The Conversation: Finding joy in 2020? It’s not such an absurd idea, really
Angela Gorrell, Ph.D., assistant professor of practical theology at Baylor's Truett Seminary and author of “The Gravity of Joy,” writes about how joy can be an incredibly powerful companion during suffering.

TIME: Horror Films Have Always Tapped Into Pop Culture's Most Urgent Fears. COVID-19 Will Be Their Next Inspiration
Horror film expert James Kendrick, Ph.D., professor and undergraduate program director of film and digital media at Baylor, is quoted in this article about how popular horror films have long tapped into pop culture’s most urgent fears. And in the wake of the events of 2020, COVID-19 looks poised to become the next entry on the long list of historic horror inspirations.

Oct. 8, 2020

Waco Tribune-Herald: Linda Livingstone: Baylor's values consistent in shifting winds of change
In this guest column, Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., writes about Baylor's mission as a Christian research university, in which the components of the University's strategic plan, Illuminate, and a commitment to providing a welcoming, caring community are directly tied to the practice of loving God with all our heart, soul and mind.

The Wall Street Journal: Should You Consider Early Retirement in a Recession?
Social Security expert Bill Reichenstein, Ph.D., emeritus professor of finance at Baylor, is quoted in this article about strategies for workers offered buyouts to adjust their financial plan to minimize potential damage.

Waco Tribune-Herald: Large grant goes to Browning letters research at Baylor
Baylor University Libraries has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support the research of two Browning scholars with Baylor’s Armstrong Browning Library.

Oct. 9, 2020

CNET.com: Why Bly Manor creator Mike Flanagan thinks cellphones are 'kryptonite' for horror
James Kendrick, Ph.D., professor and undergraduate program director of film and digital media at Baylor University, discusses how cellphones have become increasingly prevalent in books and scripts as a source of horror.

The Texas Tribune: As fears of election-related unrest rise, here's what you need to know about poll watchers in Texas
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is quoted in this article about the record-setting number of poll watchers this election season.

Baylor Connections: Baylor Connections - Kelly Ylitalo
AUDIO: Kelly Ylitalo, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology in Baylor’s Department of Public Health, focuses her research on physical functioning, obesity and healthy behaviors and their impact on aging trajectories. In this Baylor Connections, she takes listeners inside her partnerships with Waco’s Family Health Center and World Hunger Relief to study the effectiveness of innovative health approaches.

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University’s Illuminate strategic plan as a top Christian research university by proactively placing high-profile stories about faculty research and expert opinions, innovative teaching, major awards and recognition, and community involvement. The Baylor M&PR team develops faculty experts to effectively communicate the impact of their research or, as subject-matter experts, speak into national trends and conversations with media outlets, in Hot Topics and on the Baylor Connections podcast. Our faculty expert directory is available on the M&PR website at www.baylor.edu/news/experts.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.